The Yogi Assignment: A 30-Day Program for Bringing Yoga Practice and Wisdom to Your Everyday Life Paperback – Illustrated, September 26, 2017

For those of you on the fence about whether or not you should buy it-- just buy it. It's worth every moment you spend reading it (and you'll probably read it over and over and over again).In April of this year I went to a couple of workshops that were taught by Kino. This is when I first experienced her essence; while I will try not to be bias in terms of my review of her newest release, I will admit that she is truly inspirational to me and I look up to her.This book truly represents the heart of yoga. I was interested to see what poses she would choose for practice each day considering most aspiring yogis don't have her stamina or flexibility.... and, as always, she surprised me. Her daily lessons challenge the yogi to grow in grace, authenticity, strength, and balance while maintaining an equanimous mind (cancelling out any reactions or judgments to one's current ability, on or off the mat). The poses she chooses are a beautifully designed mix of challenge and accessibility; this forces the student to continually be humble, and if practicing the lesson for the day (and every day), to let go of any expectation of a particular result (nonattachment).Kino tunes into the heart that speaks to all hearts; she has a knack for being empty enough of herself to allow the light to shine through while maintaining her own voice. She's uplifting, encouraging, inspiring; her lessons are reflections of that charisma, accented by the fire of knowledge that burns through the layers we tend to cover our selves in.True to form, her book is concise and well-written; her points accessible and inspiring. Kino is changing the world; she's renewing the interpretation of yoga practice with a spiritual intention that has primarily been lost in the West; after all, asana is only one aspect of yoga.Thank you, Kino, for being so empty that you are full and overflowing to those around you. You've changed my practice, given me direction, helped me to define my purpose, and inspired me to love in a way that is empty, without attachment to results.You are a true yogi.

I bought the paper copy. I was expecting a great book from Kino. However, I am a picky long-term yogi that trained in India. This is the most interesting to read book on yoga that I've read. Each day is about 8 pages of insight, lessons, and a few yoga poses. This is the right amount of reading to fit into every day even when busy. All 30 days are a different subject, yama, niyama, etc. I have skipped ahead a little in the reading material because it reads so easily. Normally, yoga material is a bore. The poses for each day are unique, well thought out choices. Kino is realistic in her teaching. The issue with books written by full-time Indian yoga teachers is that they do not understand all of the distraction of daily Western life and how we seek perfection or complete failure.This is great for intermediate and advanced yogis wanting to learn more or for Beginners that have just started out. Kino says to attempt poses even if you can not do them yet, and they still have benefits. Our ego might tell us to give on the entire program because we can not fully do one pose.

Enjoyed this book. Each day has a short reading on an aspect of the yoga lifestyle, some “homework” (ways to incorporate the topic into your day), and a couple of yoga poses. Yes, many of the yoga poses are very advanced, and beginners (or even yogis practicing for many years) will not be able to come close to the “ideal” version of the pose. But that’s sort of the point... if we could step on our mat and do all of the poses perfectly first try, there would be no journey, no reason to practice, no transformation, and no learning. This book isn’t meant to teach you physical yoga poses from beginner to advanced. It’s meant to introduce a curious student into the more subtle aspects of the practice.

Disclaimer: I am 10 days into the book because it was only just released late September. I practice yoga 2-3 x a week in my home and at studios periodically. I am working through this book with a friend and I think we feel the same sentiment. There is no doubt that Kino is passionate about her practice and making you passionate about yours. The book is well-written and touches on the tenants of yoga beyond the poses. You get a glimpse into the deeper aspects of the practice and the homework assignments are a way to cultivate them into your life. These aspects I truly enjoy. I mean to take nothing from her work when I offer this feedback: I am very concerned that a person new to yoga, or even some of us who practice more regularly, attempt these poses without proper preparation or safety measures. She often acknowledges the challenges of the poses, and even offers guidance getting into the pose; however, many of these poses would be the apex pose that you build up to through a thoughtful and carefully designed sequence in an hour/hour and half practice. And even at that, these are some seriously advanced poses and you could risk serious injury attempting a few of them without a warm-up or without assistance.Again, I do not discredit this book for its well-meaning intentions. I am using it more as a spiritual guide than posture guide. Every once in a while, if I am warmed up and in my practice, I attempt some modified versions of the poses presented. I just think it is important that people do not look in the book and feel defeated by the poses and therefore, lose the desire to cultivate a meaningful practice. This book (poses not withstanding), paired with a simple Vinyasa flow, Yin Yoga, or Ashtanga Yoga series would make a wonderful entry into the world of yoga for those who are looking to deepen their practice.